Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Today is Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbors Day. Wouldn't it be a good idea to keep in good standing with the people who live closest to you? Instead of waving just one finger at your neighbors today, surprise them all by smiling, saying "Hello" and waving with all 5 of your fingers today. You might just shock them. Who knows, they might just like you a little bit better. And while you're at it, invite them out for a beer today. They might just wonder what you're up to. Here's what's happening around the Colorado beerosphere today Friday, February 7th, 2014. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Colorado Plus Brew Pub (Wheat Ridge) - It's "First Friday" in the Art Lounge at Colorado Plus. They have a great first Friday showing this week featuring a one man band for their musical guest, Scramble Campbell the artist that performs live paintings on the stairs at Red Rocks and tons of other great art as far as pottery, sculpture, paintings, mixed media and photography. Try not to miss out on this great evening of art and entertainment starting at 6pm tonight. Along with that, Colorado Plus will be hosting a Mini Tap Takeover of Twisted Pine Brewing's beers. They'll be pouring 5 Twisted Pine beers and giving out glassware starting at 6pm. [6995 W 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO]

Blue Spruce Brewing Co (Centennial) - The final touches are being completed this week and with any luck, Blue Spruce Brewing Company of Centennial, CO should be in their final week of construction. Look for them to open their brewery at 4151 E. County Line Road (Unit G) in the very new future. They play to brew on a 7-bbl brewing system. They will not only serve up hand crafted beer, but also a full menu of food, including appetizers and Mazatlan-style Mexican cuisine. Stay tuned for word on when they will open.Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen (Denver) - Denver's newest brewery is opening up on Tuesday, February 11th. The brewery is located at 800 Lincoln Street on the corner with E. 8th Avenue in the Golden Triangle area. Two former brewers from Rock Bottom will open this combo brewery and restaurant featuring Connecticut-style pizzas. They plan to have a Pale Ale and an IPA on tap for the opening and later on a Belgian Tripel. From their website: "Lowdown is the culmination of 20+ years of professional brewing experience. Lowdown owners Scott and Phil have won numerous awards, including accolades from The Great American Beer Festival. We don't just stop at great beer, we serve great food too. We only serve the best seasonal menu items with quality ingredients. At Lowdown we're passionate about quality beer, great and sustainable food, and making memories with good friends." [800 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO]

Arvada Beer Company (Arvada) - Chili beer fans! Their "Chili Golden Ale" will be on tap today when they open at 11:00am. Plus they will have 10 other craft beers on tap today as well. Happy Hour runs from 11am to 2pm and also 4pm to 7pm. Hop on over to Olde Town for a beer today. [5600 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO]

Former Future Brewing Co (Denver) - Today is their official Grand Opening celebration. Last weekend's soft opening went well and today they will have a full line-up of beers. Hours are Friday 2pm - 10pm and Saturday noon - 10pm. Closing time may be later but not earlier. Baba's Falafel will be their food truck on Friday, and they'll have Maria Empanada back on Saturday. And, you're always welcome to order food from any of the fine establishments nearby, including Adelita's who has put together a special taco menu just for us! Plus, we have plenty of board games to choose from. So come, eat, drink, play, and make a day of it. They're tapping an Oatmeal Saison today as well. [1290 S. Broadway, Denver, CO]

Diebolt Brewing (Denver) - Today the brewery is debuting their new improved Mariposa 2.0, a pale ale. This is a re-release of their already popular Mariposa Pale Ale, only better. They used a fresher batch of yeast which resulted in a slightly higher alcohol content,and dry hopped it to increase the hop aroma. Stop in and see if you agree that this beer tastes even better than before. [3855 Mariposa Street, Denver, CO]

Collaboration Fest (Denver) - If you follow Colorado breweries as close as Fermentedly Challenged does, you'll know that there are a ton of local breweries currently working together with other breweries (near and far) to come up with new collaboration beers that they will be serving at the upcoming Collaboration Fest set for March 22nd at The Curtis Hotel in Denver, CO. Tickets are still available for this rare collaboration-only beer fest. All the beers you'll be tasting at this festival are probably one-time only beers that you've never had before. Check it out and get your ticket before they are all sold out. Tickets at ImbibeDenver.com.

Parry's Pizza (Highlands Ranch) - Bonfire Brewing knows how to start a fire and brew beer. They will be at Parry's Highlands Ranch location starting at 5pm on Thursday, February 20th handing out their pint glasses to anyone that can recite the Gettysburg Address in under 30 seconds. Actually, they'll make it easier and just say that you need to purchase one of their beers to get one of their glasses. That's better. Get down here and get some glass! #AleYeah [9567 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO]

Great Divide Brewing Co (Denver) - From their newsletter: "It's no secret that great beer heightens the mood for love. Luckily, The Tap Room has something extra special to fall in love with this Valentine's Day: a brand new pilot beer! Rye't Meow Double Rye IPA is a big, citrusy, hop-forward ale with a hint of rye spiciness. Bring your lover, bring your friends, or at the very least, bring yourself into the Tap Room for a taste." - Also, set your calendars for Saturday, June 14th, 2014 for Great Divide's 20th Anniversary Party. It's one milestone you won't want to miss. [2201 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO]

Wit's End Brewing Co (Denver) - Stop in and try their latest creation today - "Me, Myself, and Rye", a new rye pale ale made with Millennium and Tettnang hops. It's dry & crisp with layered spicy and fruity notes. This one weighs in at 6.4% ABV and 42 IBU. Also, Wit's End is moving along with expansion plans. open 2pm to 8pm today. Next week, most of their new expansion equipment will arrive. In the spirit of collaboration, they have shared container space and shipping costs with three other breweries in Colorado: Echo Brewing, Odd13 Brewing, and soon to be opened Lone Barrel Brewing. Some of our new equipment will not arrive until April, and we expect to have the new system online by May. [2505 W. 2nd Ave, Unit #13, Denver, CO]

Falling Rock Tap House (Denver) - Pliny the Younger fans. To avoid everyone asking questions about when Falling Rock will get their allotment of Russian River's hard-to-get most anticipated beer, they've set up info on their website. At this point, the very earliest a keg may arrive would be about 3 days after it is picked up from the source (which would be around Feb 14th or possibly the 17th). Once then know when the keg will arrive they will update their page. Stay tuned! [1919 Blake St., Denver, CO]

Twisted Pine Brewing Co (Boulder) - In honor of Abe Lincoln's birthday next week on February 12th, if your wear a top hat into the ale house that day, you'll get your first pint for just a penny! [3201 Walnut St., Boulder, CO]

Bootstrap Brewing Co (Niwot) - Today is their very own Stickman's (Steve) Birthday! In his honor, they are going to offer $4 pints of Stick's Pale Ale today. Tonight's featured artists for the First Friday Artwalk are Chris and Kami of SKEYE Photography. Check out their beautiful photos in the front room. And Niwot Market will be serving up tasty treats as well. [6778 North 79th St., Niwot, CO]

The Tavern at St. Michael's Square (Greeley) - Looking for a specialty cask of craft beer? The Tavern will be tapping a cask of Boulder Beer's Shake Chocolate Porter with cherries this afternoon. This awesome chocolate porter just got one better! [2918 67th Ave., Greeley, CO]

Big Beaver Brewing (Loveland) - The brewery is hosting a double beer release today. Stop in for a taste of their Turn Me On Cherry Pomegranate Saison and their Nitro Cherry Stout. You can free free samples of these beers all weekend long too. Plus, for Free Beer Friday, they will feature Beaver Stubble Stout starting at 2pm. Ask your server for details. [2707 W. Eisenhower Blvd, Unit 9, Loveland, CO]

Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) - Just in time for your weekend, Loveland Aleworks has just tapped their new Belgian Strong Ale. This ought to help warm you up while Mother Nature tries to thaw out a bit. [118 W. 4th St., Loveland, CO]

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) - Firkin Fridays! Coffee fans unite and take notice. Today Grimm Brothers starts the first of four coffee firkin beers. What beer best not to start with than Master Thief. Try this German Porter infused with a black roast coffee for a unique complexity and flavor. [623 N. Denver Ave., Loveland, CO]

The Fort Collins Brewery (Ft. Collins) - [PRESS RELEASE] Fort Collins, Colo. – The Fort Collins Brewery is excited to announce its expansion into Maryland by partnering with seven different distributors across the state. Starting this week, FCB will be available throughout the state in package and on draft. “We are thrilled to join forces with the distributors we’ve chosen and be able to expand the FCB product to the great people of Maryland,” said Fort Collins Brewery Sales Representative,” Fred Winther. FCB has paired up with Bob Hall Inc., Guy Distributing Co. Inc., Eastern Shore Distributing, Katcef Brothers Inc., Kelly Distributors, Sentman Distributors Inc and Wantz Distributors Inc. to handle the delivery of FCB’s brews throughout Maryland. FCB sales reps visited Maryland this week to officially meet the distributors, local beverage centers and to roll out FCB brews into the 21st state of their expansion. [1020 E. Lincoln Ave., Ft. Collins, CO]

Southern Front Range

Bristol Brewing Co (Colorado Springs) - Free Brewery Tours are making its Ivywild School debut! Bristol Brewing is officially bringing their Sunday tours back, 12p-2p (every 30 minutes). They'll kick things off with a Cask tapping of Triple Hop IPA with Simcoe, Bravo, and fresh Cascade Hops. Also, coming up on Thursday, February 27th at 7pm, Bristol Brewing is proud to present 6 years of their Old #23 in a Barleywine Vertical Tasting! These samples, going all the way back to 1999, will be classically paired with small bites from the Meat Locker. Mike Bristol will guide you through the evening in the Wildcat room, sharing stories of the beer's origin, evolution, nuances and labeling. Get tickets on TicketFly. [1604 South Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO]

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Colorado Beer News is published on Fermentedly Challenged daily (Monday through Friday) with craft beer stories as they break from newsletters, emails and social media sites. This news is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+). If you'd like to subscribe to this daily by email, sign-up here. Please, always drink responsibly and use a designated driver.